Addition of a Step... Maybe Helps in Understanding Application

I asked Shifu about the motion leading into this position in class for clarification. Shifu explained the sometimes the way we practice the form, a given motion my be just to focus on the intention of a movement; however, if we break it down and then perhaps add in a step, as we conclude into a given position the meaning may become more clear.

Shifu always tells us that as we practice the form, first we focus on our bodies, making sure we know how to get into a given movement correctly and that we have good alignment making our stances strong, and the body strong and healthy without stressing any of our joints. THEN the next step would be to begin examining more closely the meaning of a given motion. If the motion isn't clear, then sometimes having a meaning to a given motion helps us into the sequence a bit better.

One of the ways in which we can practice our basics is to repeat a given motion over and over. One way is to practice a step into a motion, over and over. Sometimes we can practice a motion without a step. This way we can use component pieces of the skills we have learned in a different fashion depending upon the variables of fighting.